Gold Star Recording Company and Gold Star Sound Services

Gold Star Recording Company originated as a recording studio in Houston, Texas, founded in October 1941 by Bill Quinn under the name Quinn Recording Company. In 1950, Quinn changed the name of the studio to Gold Star Studios and, as such, remains the oldest registered recording studio in the southeastern United States.

The studio was important in launching the careers of such artists as Lightnin' Hopkins, Hillbilly Harry Choates, George Jones, The Sir Douglas Quintet, Roy Head, and Freddy Fender. At that time, The operation was renowned for inventive recording equipment, it's reverb chamber room, and a long history of music. Gold Star laid claim to becoming one of the great landmarks in Houston's history.

Bill Quinn and Gold Star Studios

Quinn's Gold Star Records featured blues, country music, (then still commonly known as hillbilly music), and not surprisingly, Cajun music which also appeared on the label. In his first few years of business, Bill Quinn also recorded radio commercials and added a special novelty offering recorded birthday greetings.

The most significant change was the sensational Gold Star release of its first hit record, a song called “Jole Blon” by Harry Choates, a swing and dance tune that and became the first and only Cajun record to reach the Billboard Top Five. It is still popular today. Lightnin' Hopkins' “T-Model Blues” and “Tim Moore’s Farm”, both became top 10 national hits in 1948, skyrocketing The Gold Star label with a string of hits throughout the late-1940's, 50's and 60's.

Following up the success brought George Jones’ first hit “Why Baby Why” in 1955. Six more George Jones hit singles ensued such as, “What Am I Worth”, “You Gotta Be My Baby”, “Just One More”, “Yearning”, “Too Much Water” and “Don’t Stop the Music” during 1956.

Continuing into the national scene came The Big Bopper's hit “Chantilly Lace” in 1958, Johnny Preston’s “Running Bear”, written by The Big Bopper in 1959, James O’Gwynn’s “Talk to Me Lonesome Heart” and Eddie Noack’s “Have Blues Will Travel/The Price of Love” in 1959.

Willie Nelson's first two official hits: “Family Bible”, written for Claude Gray, and the 1960 release “Night Life" recorded by Ray Price.

Gold Star Studios in the 60's

The early 1960s saw the beginnings of the psychedelic Texas rock era, particularly with the release of Sir Douglas Quintet’s hit song “She’s About a Mover”, and "Treat Her Right" by Roy Head and The Traits.

In January 1968, Quinn approved the leasing of Gold Star masters which were closely associated with the success behind "Treat Her Right" hitting #2 on the national chart and "She's About A Mover" reaching the #13 spot.

The studio continued to attract more psychedelic rock bands including: 13th Floor Elevators, The Red Krayola, The Bubble Puppy, The Continental Five, The Bad Seeds, The Moving Sidewalks (Billy Gibbons' first band) and the Zakary Thaks. BJ Thomas also recorded a portion of his first commercially successful album, Tomorrow Never Comes during that time.

Gold Star Recording Company and Gold Star Sound Services Today

Gold Star Sound Services success extended expansion in 1983 following the addition of a specialized recording room, Foam Box Recordings,under direction with Joe Hardy and G.L. G-Mane Moon heading up the production and engineering group. The conglomerate is considered the frontline entity in providing the widest range of contemporary and traditional artistic material for general release including television and motion picture product covering Blues, R&B, Gospel, Rock, Hillbilly, Cajun, and TexMex releases.

Gold Star Sound Services currently produces state-of-the-art product with online entries and extreme hi-fidelity sound production innovations.

The Gold Star Legacy

In 1983, the Gold Star legacy enjoyed an uplift when the marque, purchased by rock guitarist and singer, Billy Gibbons, continued operation under the direction with Willie D Workman, sound designer, engineering pioneer, Workman later partnered to lead the way with the RAD Audio Company, with studio engineers, Andy Bradley and Rodney Meyers.

The association branched out to support the Houston scene, evolving with recording acts such artists as Destiny’s Child, Robert Minot, Ann Margret, Solange Knowles, Brian McKnight, Twista, Smash Mouth, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Hubert Laws, Clay Walker and Calvin Owens.

Gibbons' Gold Star Sound Services continues as a cornerstone in the illustrious Houston style music tradition.